About

British Virgin Islands Gymnastics Association is the sole national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the British Virgin Islands. This designation comes from the BVI Olympic Committee, and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). British Virgin Islands Gymnastics sets the rules and policies that govern gymnastics in the British Virgin Islands. BVIGA has many responsibilities, including selecting and training the BVI Gymnastics Teams for Olympic Games and World Championships; promoting and developing gymnastics on a grassroots and national level; and serving as a resource center for member clubs, fans and gymnasts throughout the British Virgin Islands.  The BVIGA organization has women’s artistic gymnastics. It has one club with one gymnast that has met minimum eligibility requirements to be considered for nomination to the team. This athlete meets the minimum requirement by Gymnastics Federation (FIG) standards for participation (if any): Athlete will be a minimum of sixteen (16) years of age by December 31, 2016 and will apply for a FIG Athlete License once the federation has been approved and licensed.

The 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization was established Suffolk, Virginia in March of 2015. The first Board of Directors began the time-consuming task of creating a viable national program for gymnastics in the British Virgin Islands.  Up until 2014 there was no gymnastic federation in the British Virgin Islands to represent athletes in the sport of Gymnastics. Prior to the establishment of this organization this small population of 24,000 people had no gymnastics representation in the Regional, Continental and International multi-sport games up to and including the Olympic Games in this sport.

In March 2015, copies of the IRS Non-profit BVI Gymnastics Association with Tax ID and the Constitution were provided to the BVI Olympic Committee. At the first meeting of the BVIGA the officers were elected. In May 2015, the BVI Olympic Committee recognized THE B.V.I. GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION as the official governing body for gymnastics in the British Virgin Islands. In August 2015, the British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee wrote to Federation Internationale de Gymnastique to confirm that THE B.V.I. GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION is the official governing body for gymnastics in the British Virgin Islands and that it, in such capacity, operates without discrimination of any kind. In September 2015, a correspondence was sent to Federation internationale de Gymnastique from the Ministry of Education and Culture, Dr. Marcia Potter, confirming that the BVI Gymnastics Association is the only Gymnastics Federation that is recognized by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports in the British Virgin Islands.

To date, there is one athlete registered in a competitive program. She trains 30-35 hours per week and is homeschooled. She has dual citizenship in the British Virgin Islands but has been a United States American Gymnastics member in good standing for more than 8 years and a Level 10 gymnast for the last 5 and holds National Championship titles. She is training elite and undergoing testing as well as competing a full season to include international meets. She has 3 well esteemed Coaches that provide professional instruction, leadership ability, international experience, and professional membership in “elite” and World Championship training. These coaches attend educational opportunities for coaches and judges at the National Training Camp here in the United States.

Nonetheless, we are looking forward to the completion of the establishment of the BVI Gymnastics Association upon fulfillment of the Federation approval. Please feel free to contact me at Chinnery1@BVIAG.com.

Sincerely,

Debra F Chinnery, EdD, APNP, BC

President